The Marrow and Juice of 260 Scriptures, Part 48
The 16. Sonday after Trinity.
Summe & coherence of the 2 first Lessons.TThe former point of doctrine concerning Gods prouident care by the Prophets and ministers of the word with whom he will take order for the instruction, reprofe & comfort of the members thereof, is heere confirmed by his speaking to another of his Prophets, in the chapters and Lessons of the old Testament.
Summe of the Epistle & GospellWherefore the fathers of our Church hauehave chosen two out of the new, as parallel vntounto them. In the first whereof Saint Paul will encourage the Ephesians against the troubles which he suffered at the hands of the Iewes, for preaching this mystery concerning the saluation of the Gentiles. And in the second our Lord himselfe doth confirme it, by his omnipotent and miraculous power of raising a man to life that was dead, and caried forth to be buried.
The first Lesson for this morning prayer Ezech. 2.Mor. Prayer. 1 Les. Ezech. 2. containeth these chiefe points.Parts.
1 God prepares Ezechiel for his function.First, Gods fitting, encouraging, and enabling of the Prophet Ezechiel vntounto that waighty and troublesome charge of prophecying and preaching vntounto the rebellious and impudent house of Israel. ver. 1 to the 4.
In the second part of the chapter, God foretelleth the successe of Ezechiels labours,2 God tels Ezechiel what will be the successe of his labours. to wit, disobedience and rebellion of these thornes and scorpions,Ezechiel must discharge his duty euen amongst the rebellious Iewes, able (euen with their lookes) to terrifie him, ver. 5.6.
In the third place God vrgeth his Prophet more vehemently with the discharge of his office and function,3 God …harges the Prophet more deepely with the care of doing his duty least the Prophet himselfe also do incurre the sinne and punishment of rebellion. And therefore God giues him the rowle of a booke written full of woes both within and without. ver. 7.8.9.10. the end of the chapter.
The first Lesson for euening prayer is Ezech. 14.Eue. Prayer. 1 Les. Ezech. 14. Summe of the chapter. wherein God deales in more particular manner with the sinnes of the Iewes, and those irreuocable plagues which hee intendeth to send vponupon them and theirs, for all those their iniquities.
First,1 Gods threatning of the Iewes, God menaceth one of the most grieuous iudgements (that are in the world) to come vponupon these rebels, to wit, his laying of the iniquity of the false Prophets vponupon the idolaters and false worshippers of the true God, in vsing these words of them, and to them: That I may take the house of Israel in their owne heart, because they are all departed from mee through their idols. verse 1. to the end of the 11.
Secondly, that though these wicked idolaters beeing iustly punished for their sinnes2 God tels thē that other mens righteousnesse shall doe for deliuerance frō their sinnes, (by famine, by noisome beasts, by sword and by pestilence) did beare themselues in hand, that they should fare the better for their true Prophets, and for the righteous men that liued among them, God sheweth the case to be otherwise, for he saith. If Noah, Daniel, and Iob, were among them, they should deliuer but their owne soules by their righteousnesse, ver, 12. to the 21.
Thirdly, God affoordeth comfort vntounto his little flocke,3 Comforts vntounto Gods chosen, vntounto the remnant of his chosen people, picked of out the multitudes, which shall be destroyed out of Ierusalem, ve. 22. 23. the end of the chapter.
The third of the Scriptures for this day. Ephes. 3.13. to the 22,Epistle Ephe. 3.13, ad 22 Summe of the text, the end of the chapter, is a consolatory exhortation vntounto the Church of the Ephesians, Comforts in affliction to preuents discouragements,Christ… faithful seruants proceed with comfort in the midst of afflictions.to preuent all discouragement and fainting, for, or by reason of any afflictions or troubles which himselfe did suffer. And therefore the Apostle prayeth to the God of comfort for the increase of this courage in them: giuing thanks vntounto God, as hauing attained it at his hands already.
Parts.The exhortation1 Exhortation. is in the 13. verse, Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for your sakes.
His prayer2 Prayer. is in these words, For this cause I bow my knees, ver: 14. to the 19.
His thanksgiuing3 Thanksgiuing vntounto him, therefore that is able to do exceeding aboundantly. ver. 20.21. the end of the chapter.
Gospell. Luk. 7.11. ad 16. Agreement of this Scripture with the Epistle and with the former Gospel.Saint Pauls incouragings of Christs Church are very great and manifold, but the comforts of Saint Pauls Lord and Maister Christ Iesus, who is the resurrection and the life (one of his encouragements and consolations) do far exceed all.
Our Lord Iesus Christ taught men in the former Gospell to depend vponupon his fatherly prouidence, for meate, drinke and rayment: for he that made the body and gaue life vntounto it, will not deny the meanes of the liues maintenance. In this holy Scripture,Scope of this text, Luke. 7. ver. 11. to the end of the 16. it is proued by example and most euident demonstration, that God can and will doe all the former good for vsus, …ecause hee raiseth the dead vntounto life againe. Much more can hee continue life by such meanes as maintaine life, according to the good pleasure of his will.Parts. The euangelist in his relation,
First sets downe the iourney of Christ, as the occasion of the miracle.1 Occasion of the miracle, ver. 11.
Secondly, the miracle it selfe2 Miracle it selfe of Christs raysing vp the dead corps of the yong man, as in the rest of the verses.
Parts of the miracle,In the miracle consider,
1 The description of the things done, ver. 12. to the end of the 15.
2 The effect and sequele of all, ver. 16.
God comforteth & confirmes his Church in raysing vp the dead,In the description these circumstances denominate the truth of the History,Parts of the description, as
1 The circumstance of the place, as he went into a city called Naim.
2 The persons which accompanied Christ, to wit.
1 His Disciples,
2 A great multitude of people, these are noted in the occasion.
In the miraculous deed which was done let vsus consider of the passion before we can come to the action:Parts of the miracle, 1 Passion, 2 Action, before or at which passion S. Luke by way of preface doth againe expresse some circumstances,Parts of the Passion, as
1 Of the place where our Lord Iesus was at that time immediately before the miracle, as hee drew nigh the gates of the citty.
2 For assurance that hee was dead already vponupon whom the miracle was wrought, It is said, there was a dead man caried out, to wit, to be buried.
The third circumstance is, what estate the dead man was of, to aggrauate the passionate sorrow of the mother and friends. The text saith, he was the onelyonly sonne of his mother.
4 The estate of his mother is set downe, she was a widdow.
5 The simpathizers in her sorrow, her complangents, much people of the citty was with her. ver. 12.Parts of the action:
In the action let vsus behold the actors louelove to mankind.
1 Towards the widdow, whom when he saw
First, he inwardly pittied,
Secondly, hee outwardly with his words comforted her in forbidding her to weepe. ver. 13.
2 His philanthropie toward the dead man, set forth by Christs ceremoniall performances, as
1 His coming to the coffin,
2 His touching it,
3 His causing of the bearers to make a stand.
4 His words, which are also to be obserued,The child is not punished for the fathers sinnes. being these. Young man, I say vntounto thee arise, ver. 14.
1 The effect of these deeds and words we shall see in the yong mansEffects of these deeds & words of the actor, either in the yong man, or in others, being restored to life in three arguments, as
1 The dead man sate vp,
2 He spake.
3 Christ deliuers him to his mother.
2. The effect that the miracle tooke in others must be also considered,
1 In their astonishment,
2 In their acknowledging of Gods power and his louelove, …teir saying thus.
A great Prophet is raised vp.
And God hath visited his people.
ver. 16.